Man guilty in shooting outside movie theaters

April 17, 2003

ELGIN — A South Elgin man faces at least 25 years in prison after being convicted Wednesday of attempted murder and armed violence.

Waldemar Ramos, 25, of 1996 La Fox St. was found guilty of trying to kill Alberto Ramirez of Elgin when he shot a 9 mm handgun at Ramirez 10 times on June 18, 2001, near Fox Theatres. Eight bullets struck Ramirez.

Ramos said he shot in self-defense.

He testified Wednesday that Ramirez rear-ended Ramos' GMC Jimmy after chasing him through a parking lot. When Ramos got out to look at the damage, Ramirez aimed a gun at him, Ramos said.

Assistant Kane County State's Atty. Sal LoPiccolo noted that Ramos did not tell the police officers he shot at Ramirez in self-defense. Ramirez, who testified under immunity, said he shot at Ramos after Ramos shot at him.

The jurors deliberated about five hours before reaching a verdict in the three-day trial.

A post-trial hearing is scheduled for May 23. Defense attorney Kathleen Colton plans to argue for a lighter sentence than the 25 years required by law for an armed-violence conviction. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.